Hope for surfing reserve status to boost tourism

The Bass Coast Shire Council says the declaration of a new national surfing reserve at Phillip Island will help attract tourists to the area.

Four of Phillip Island's beaches have been included in Victoria's first national surfing reserve.

The declaration is intended to protect and recognise the quality of the island's beaches.

However, the Bass Coast Shire Council's Steven Piasente says it will also promote the island as a surfing destination.

"When we've done studies in the past I think it's something like 60 per cent of our visitors come for leisure and recreation and a lot of that is related to visiting the coast, so going to beaches," he said.

"There are a number of attractions on Phillip Island as well as Bass Coast but a lot of those people visit beaches."

He says the area's natural attractions are its biggest asset and it made economic sense for council to support the proposal.

"There's a number of surfing businesses obviously, being a coastal destination with lots of good surf," he said.

"So those businesses who operate shaping of boards and selling boards, hopefully they'll use that in their marketing, as well as other tourism providers using it in their marketing.

"So it's another tool I suppose that they can use to attract people to come and stay in Bass Coast and spend their money locally."

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